After nearly 25 years behind the kit, Mark O’Connell has announced his departure from Taking Back Sunday. Citing creative differences and personal struggles, the drummer, who joined the band in 2000, took to social media to share the news with fans and deliver a statement.
“It’s taken me some time to address this,” O’Connell began. “After nearly 25 years as the drummer of Taking Back Sunday, I want to confirm that I am no longer with the band.” He acknowledged the weight of his decision, noting, “It wasn’t an easy decision, and it wasn’t entirely my own.”
O’Connell went on to thank the fans who have supported the band for over two decades. “You’ve been the heartbeat of TBS, and a huge part of my life for nearly a quarter of a century,” he said. “I owe it all to you.”
However, O’Connell didn’t shy away from the challenges that contributed to his exit. “Over the past few years, I’ve focused on my family and personal growth, including committing to my sobriety,” he revealed. “Unfortunately, during this time, I didn’t always feel the support I needed from those I thought of as brothers, and creative differences made it hard to move forward together.”
Looking ahead, O’Connell is far from stepping away from music. He teased new projects both as a solo artist and with “some old friends,” describing the venture as a “new chapter… one of passion, creativity, and hope.” While details remain under wraps, it’s clear O’Connell is excited about what lies ahead. “I’ve poured my heart into this project, and I can’t wait to share it with you,” he said. The remaining band members Adam Lazzara, John Nolan, and Shaun Cooper are yet to comment on O’Connell’s departure.
O’Connell’s departure marks a significant shift for Taking Back Sunday, who last released their eighth studio album, 152, in 2023. With O’Connell bowing out and hinting at his own fresh creative pursuits, it’s clear this is the start of a new chapter. One in which fans undoubtedly keep a close eye on both TBS and O’Connell.
For now, it’s a bittersweet farewell to one of the band’s longest-serving members. As O’Connell puts it, “I’m proud of what we built together, and I’m even more excited about what lies ahead.”
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